September 30, 2014

GROUP ADDRESSES LOGGING TRUCK ACCIDENTSAccording to Dustin Meierhofer of the Trucking Advisory Group (TAG) something has to be done about the sudden increase in accidents involving logging trucks. "Forest Industry leaders have been paying close attention to the recent log trucking incidences in the southern interior as part of a recent increased focus on log hauling safety within the Province," he said in a release to the News Leader last week. "The type and frequency of log hauling incidents is seen as unacceptable particularly those that occur in areas frequented by the public." Meierhofer says, in general, safety performance within the industry has improved significantly throughout British Columbia since 2005 due to the efforts of industry and the Province. "Log hauling specifically has had a reasonably good safety record with the number of incidents reported in 2012 for both on and off highways hauling resulting in 133 short term disability, long term disability and fatality claims to WorkSafeBC." This means that of the approximately 1.4 million loads of logs hauled in 2012, 99.99% were hauled without a short term disability, long term disability or fatality claim. "However, those within the industry also recognized that more work is needed in order to further improve Log Hauling Safety by eliminating injuries and fatalities," Meierhofer adds. The objective is to ensure every load is delivered incident-free. One of the many actions being taken by industry to address log hauling safety is the establishment of the Trucking Advisory Group (TAG). TAG was established in 2014 in response to a cluster of log trucking incidents that occurred in the late summer/fall 2013. TAG members include senior representatives from Canfor, Gorman Bros., Interfor, Tolko, West Fraser, BCTS, LoBar Log Transport, the Log Truck Technical Advisory Committee and association representatives from the Truck Loggers Association, Interior Loggers Association, and the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC). TAG is currently focused on the following issues:- Reduction of log truck rollovers,- Safety data collection and analysis,- Managing log truck overweights,- Training of log haulers, loadermen and supervisors,- Mechanisms to improve driver behaviours and safety performance, and- Improving communications within and outside the industry."Through the actions of the TAG and other safety related initiatives, those within the industry are committed to continue to work at ensuring every load of logs is delivered efficiently and safely.² Meierhofer concludes, ³Safety isn¹t just the right thing to do, safety is good business."

LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR BECOMES JAM BUSTERThere's no secret that the Similkameen Valley is home to many entrepreneurs. This week the News Leader takes a look at one who happens to be pretty close to our operation as she is probably better known as our Office Manager. Brenda Engel started her jam and preserves part-time business a few months ago using the name JamBusters. "JamBusters had a strange start," she says. "It wasn't a long time dream of mine or even a fleeting thought. Two springs ago someone came into our yard and stole all of our rhubarb." So to avoid the same thing happening again, Engel took action. "This spring I thought I should use it up before it gets stolen again. So in a way, I should thank whoever took it as they really inspired the birth of JamBusters." With a large harvest of rhubarb from her backyard, Engel wanted to create something other than just the typical jams made with the fruit. "I looked for an unusual recipe for the rhubarb and it was fun to make and fun to market and was quite popular to my surprise." The first product produced by JamBusters was a Gingered-Citrus Rhubarb Jam. Before she knew it, offers starting arriving of other fruit and vegetables for Engel to use. "I kept looking forunusual recipes as I'm not one for being in the norm and much of the fun was finding the recipes and even more fun was coming up with the creative names for the products." Other products that have been released under the JamBusters name include Bananarama Honey, Raz-Very Berry Nice Jam andOoo-La-Lla Cherry Chutney named after Olalla, where the cherries came from. In fact, each JamBusters item has contained one or more items grown either in Princeton, Keremeos, Cawston or Olalla. "I grew up canning pickles, sauerkraut, tomatoes, and jams and freezing vegetables from our farm garden in Saskatchewan so I knew how to do it already." This made the production of Engel's creative kitchen items easy and fun for her to work on. "Safety concerns me so I recently took the MarketSafe course which is designed for people like me who prepare foods out of our home kitchens and then selling them to the public." The program focuses on hygiene, safe food handling, safe food transport and safe food display out of the sun and heat and storage in between vending. Engel decided in late August she would make salsas and relishes to sell at Similkameen Sizzle, the one day pepper festival held September 20th in Keremeos. She made a selection of spicy and not-so-spicy products just for that event and was convinced to enter her 'Hellish Relish' in the Hot Sauce Contest held during the pepper festival. Engel was not prepared for the results. "To my delight my relish got first in the 'specialty' then 'best overall' categories. I was so excited." Once news of her win was released on social media there has been a steady flow of customers picking up JamBusters products from the News Leader office where Engel has a window display. "I will be making more of my Hellish Relish as the main ingredient is seasonal and I try to keep as many ingredients as possible from the Similkameen Valley." Engel sums up her success with this statement: "From making rhubarb jam so it wouldn't get stolen again to winning a hot sauce contest at the Similkameen Sizzle is kind of an interesting story. It's funny how things come to be." Engel has a website located at www.jambusters.info which features photos and stories about some of her products. The JamBusters line is also available exclusively at the Similkameen News Leader office at 226A Bridge Street, next to CIBC. Expect to see more new products available for the holiday season.

September 23, 2014 - News Leader

LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR LIGHTS UP CCMA"It's been an amazing six months. We launched our candles right here in Princeton in April with a fundraiser at Cool Beanz for the Princeton Crisis Assistance Society. Since that time there have been some exciting developments," states Rosalinde Blake of Rosalinde Blake Organic Luxury Candles. When an e-mail arrived with an invitation to be part of the VIP Lounge backstage for the Canadian Country Music Awards back in June, "I thought it was a scam," she told the News Leader. "I had never heard of the organizers WOW Creations from Los Angeles before; however, on further investigation and verification ­ I did not hesitate to say yes." Blake adds, "Firstly, I love country music (although I can't dance to it very well!), secondly, it aligns perfectly with our brand. The Country Music family is known for staying true to their roots, remembering where they came from and giving back to the larger community. Our motto is ŒBe brave to make bold decisions and do what's right in helping others." We donate 10% of profits to Pomfret Orphanage in South Africa ­ one that is dear to my heart after visiting it in the summer of 2012. We also work in partnership with organizations large and small to help raise funds for their cause. "Talking with Beverley Mahood Winner 2014 Slaight Music Humanitarian Award just reinforced that when we think we have it tough, take a step back, notice what is good in your life. ³It was wonderful to meet British Columbia artists Dallas Smith (who had three nominations) as well as Chad Brownlee. There is such amazing talent in Canada; it was an honour to interact with the legendary and elegant Michelle Wright, Terri Clark, Paul Brandt (his single 'Forever Summer' aligns wonderfully with #12 Scent Summertime) and George Canyon."

VALLEY MEETS IN PRINCETON NEXT MONTHSimilkameen Valley Planning Society (SVPS) will meet in Princeton on October 22. This organization is comprised of all Regional District Area Directors from the Similkameen Valley, representatives from both Princeton and Keremeos Councils, and representatives from both Similkameen Indian Bands. This meeting is open to the public and will focus on two forward-looking projects: the future directions for the valley-wide tourism project to attract more tourists, and moving forward with developing sustainable water resources in the valley.

ART SHOW FEATURES LOCAL WORKSEarth Alive! Is a juried art show taking place at Riverside Centre Saturday at 2:00 PM. The show features local artists who work in many media, from paintings to photographs to quilts. Special equipment has been installed at Riverside to facilitate hanging the works of art. The reception portion of the show is from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. Saturday, no charge for admission. The show is presented by Princeton Community Arts Council and coordinated by a team led by Merrilyn Huycke. Bring children to this art show. There will be an opportunity for them to engage in creating their own works of art. Riverside will be open to the public from Sunday to Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. for those who miss the opening day, but the children's art workshop will be on Saturday only.

September 16, 2014 - News Leader

KEREMEOS MAN PAYS BIG FINELorne Boehmer, a Keremeos resident, appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on Friday, September 13, to plead guilty to an impaired driving charge. On December 4, 2013, Boehmer had been driving eastbound from Princeton toward Hedley. A highway patrol officer observed Boehmer¹s vehicle going very slowly, 50 kmph in a 100 kmph zone. The officer saw the vehicle drift over the fog line and then drift over the center line. This poor driving led the officer to be concerned there was something wrong with the driver, and decided to check. While approaching the vehicle on the highway, the officer saw the vehicle do a 360 degree turn and immediately switched on the siren and emergency lights to pull the vehicle to the roadside. When Boehmer left the vehicle, he was swaying and slurred speech. He was arrested. The officer noted a strong odour of liquor on Boehmer and found a nearly empty vodka bottle under the driver's seat. Boehmer had no prior impaired driving convictions, so received the minimum penalty, a $1,000 fine with $300 surcharge, and a 12 month driving prohibition.

JUDGE ORDERS HOUSE ARRESTIn Provincial Court in Princeton on Friday, September 12, Shane Allison, a Keremeos resident, entered a guilty plea to a charge of break and enter. The crime occurred on August 30, 2013, when he and others, one a youth, entered the former Gold Dust Pub in Hedley by breaking a window. They took a number of bottles of liquor and a television set. Allison could not recall what became of the television set. Allison was sentenced to serve a total of 12 months conditional sentence, the first six months under house arrest, although he is allowed to go outdoors on the property to do work around the place. He will be allowed to travel to and from work, and to hospital if required. The second six months has conditions not quite so restrictive. He is not permitted to consume alcohol nor illegal drugs and may not enter any premises where alcoholic beverages are sold.

September 09, 2014 - News Leader

FORTIS SCRAPS DAM PROJECTFortis Generation Similkameen LP, which is indirectly, wholly owned by Fortis Inc., announced September 4th it will not move forward with the proposed Similkameen River water management and hydroelectric project at this time. The company made the decision based on the results of its mostrecent project feasibility studies. "We believe that building a water storage hydroelectric facility on the Similkameen River would create many benefits for the area," said project manager Joseph Sukhnandan. "However, based on the results of our latest engineering and economic studies, we determined the project is not financially viable at this time." The proposed 165 metre (541 foot) concrete facility was expected to have useable water storage and deliver between 45 to 65 megawatts of electrical capacity along with the associated water management benefits. Various groups haveinvestigated the feasibility of a water storage and hydroelectric facility in the area since the 1990s. Fortis Generation Similkameen LP may re-evaluate the viability of the project in the future based on customer demand and market conditions. Fortis Inc. is the largest investor-owned electric and gas distribution utility in Canada, with total assets approaching $25 billion and fiscal 2013 revenue exceeding $4 billion. Its regulated utilities account for approximately 93 per cent of total assets and serve more than 3 million customers across Canada and in the United States and the Caribbean. Fortis owns non-regulated hydroelectric generation assets in Canada, Belize and Upstate New York. The Corporation's non-utility investments are comprised of hotels and commercial real estate in Canada. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com or www.sedar.com.

HARKNESS WILL NOT RUN AGAINFollowing the reading of her verbal report to Town Council at their September 2nd regular meeting, Councillor Marilyn Harkness officially announced she would not be seeking re-election in the November Municipal Elections. Stating she has had a wonderful time serving her community on Town Council, Harkness admitted she was "running out of steam." To date she is the only member of Town Council to announce she will not seek re-election. Councillors Doug Pateman and Kim Maynard have already indicated they intend to run again while Mayor Frank Armitage has not stated.

TOWN SECOND QUARTER LOOKS GOODThe Town of Princeton Second Quarter financial statement was released at the September 2nd regular meeting of Town Council. Director of Finance for the town Shirley McMahon stated at the meeting that the statement showed the finances as of June 30, 2014. "It's pretty much on track and as expected," she said. "And slightly under budget." A closer look at the numbers verifies that statement with a surplus of $667,574. The Statement of Operations shows total expenditures totaling $2,567,315 with the largest amount of that ($958,355) going to capital expenses followed by ($440,157) for general government services and $315,992 for transportation services. Total revenuesamounted to $3,234,889 with the bulk of that ($1,614,919) coming from taxation followed by water and sewer users fees ($595,174 ­ Water, $281,818 sewer).

September 02, 2014 - News Leader

MUSEUM BUSY SEASON ENDSby Robin LoweMuseum Operations ManagerThe start of September brings with it some endings, one of which is the conclusion of another season of summer students at the Princeton Museum. This year we were so lucky to find a group of four enthusiastic, bright and responsible young adults that we simply couldn't have functioned without during our busiest season of the year. Our staff ran kids summer camps; designed, assembled and researched exhibits, entered hundreds of artifacts into our ever growing digital database, as well as creating new systems and record keeping methods in our Joe Pollard Collection of over 40,000 rocks, fossils and minerals. Brent Davidson, our summer Supervisor, is a student at the University of Victoria and will be heading back to continue his studies towards his archaeology degree; Brook Kassa will be entering her final year of high school while continuing part time work with Weyerhaeuser; Cache Cook and Alexia Boyd will both return to PSS for their Grade 11 year. We would like to sincerely thank all of our 2014 staff for their commitment, and a job truly well done. Best of luck to all of you in your future endeavours, and don't forget to stop by for a visit and give us an update when you are passing by, we are very curious to see where you bright futures take you in life. With the departure of this awesome crew, we have some shoes to fill in the form of volunteers who might assist in keeping our doors open to the public for limited hours in the months of September and October. If you are interested in a fulfilling volunteer position here at the Princeton Museum, please call 250-295-7588 to discuss these opportunities.

GRIST MILL LEASING OUT - UPDATEDirectors Marilyn Bergen and Dave Cursons of the Grist Mill Foundation met in Keremeos on August 28th with Boundary- Similkameen MLA, Linda Larson. There is no change in the province's current move to lease out the Provincial Historic Site at the Keremeos Grist Mill and Gardens. The lands are available for bid through to September 26th, 2014. The Grist Mill Foundation that advances values associated with the restored and running 1877 water driven flour mill is determined that the Keremeos Grist Mill and Gardens remain intact as a social and economic asset for the Lower Similkameen and for the larger region. A successful bid on the Grist Mill offering from BC Heritage will need to propose a cessation or else a decrease in Provincial Government costs over time. Whatever the outcome of the bidding process, the Grist Mill Foundation expects the government to see to the business of operating their designated Provincial Historic Site at the Keremeos Grist Mill and Gardens. MLA Larson and the Foundation Directors agree that the site is best operated as a heritage business concern as it is with the present operator, Chris Mathieson. The Grist Mill Foundation, formed in 2010 and lately seeking Charitable Status with the Charities Directorate of Customs and Revenue Canada will consider adding to their present goals that of growing into a capable business manager for the heritage property. The Directors of the Foundation meet next on September 18th.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS!​Similkameen News Leader 1998 - 2016